New licence categories and category changes from 19 January 2013

 

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the new categories listed on renewed driving licences. Let Compass Motorcycle Training help to clear-up any confusion.

DVLA LogoIt is common knowledge that more than a few people have sent there Car/Motorcycle licences of for a change of address only to find later that their motorcycle entitlement has been removed.

If not noticed on its return, these riders will unfortunately find it difficult, if not impossible to rectify without going through the process of re-taking their CBT, Theory test and both parts of the practical test.

People are now noticing a Full category A on their licence despite not taking their motorcycle test.

This at first glance looks like the DVLA have made the opposite mistake from that above.

This is however NOT the case at all. All that has happened is that Trikes (3 Wheeled machines) have been re-categorised to category A code 79 ( Tri ) which of course is short for trike.

People have always been able to ride a motor tricycle on a car licence but previously it fell under category C originally, then onto B1. Now category A - 79 (Tri)

Category Description Minimum Age Notes
p Moped - Motor vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 45 kilometres per hour (km/h) but not exceeding 50km/h and which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc. 16 See Note 4
q Moped - Motor vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc and, if not equipped with pedals by means of which the vehicle is capable of being propelled, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 25km/h. 16 See Note 4
AM Moped - 2-wheel vehicles or 3-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h. Light quadricycleWith an unladen mass of not more than 350kg, not including the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h. 16 N/A
A1 Motorcycles - A motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, of a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW per kg. A motor tricycle with a power not exceeding 15kW. 17 N/A
A2 A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. 19 See Note 5
A A motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2kW per kg, or A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. A motor tricycle with a power exceeding 15kW. 24 See Note 1 and 5
B1 4 wheeled light vehicles - Motor vehicles with four wheels up to 550kg unladen and invalid carriages. 17 N/A
D1 Minibuses - Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer up to 750kg. 21 See Note 2 and 3
D Buses - Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750 kg. 24 See Note 2
D1E Minibuses with trailers - Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer over 750 kg, provided that the MAM of the combination formed does not exceed 12,000kg. 21 See Note 2 and 3
DE Buses with trailers - Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750 kg. 24 See Note 2

 

For further information about your options, please do not hesitate to contact Compass Motorcycle Training today on 01246 86 44 88